"Best buy sell indicator" is one of the most common trading searches — and the one that loses the most money. Most arrow indicators repaint: they look perfect on history and fail live. Here is how to tell a useful buy/sell signal from a visual scam.
The repainting problem
An indicator repaints when it changes or deletes past signals as new candles arrive. You see a chart full of correct arrows — but those arrows were drawn after the move happened. In real time, the arrow appears, disappears and reappears elsewhere. It is the #1 reason a "winning" indicator blows accounts.
30-second repaint test: apply the indicator, open the chart in real time (not history) and watch a forming candle. If the signal changes before the candle closes, it repaints. Discard it.
What makes a buy/sell indicator useful
- It marks an objective event, not a prediction. A liquidity sweep, a change of structure (CHoCH), a close above a level. Something verifiable, not "price will go up."
- It confirms on candle close. No intra-candle signals that dance around.
- It shows the logic. If you do not know why the arrow appeared, you cannot trust it.
- Alerts. So you are not watching the screen.
The approach we use: signal = structural event
Instead of a magic arrow, combine a liquidity-sweep detector with a structure (BOS/CHoCH) tool. The real "buy signal": sweep of lows → bullish ChoCH → entry. It is objective, it does not repaint, and you know exactly why. Both free on TradingView.
18 free indicators, no repainting
Structure, liquidity and FVGs published free on TradingView. Or automate the signal on MT5 with Master of Liquidity EA.
More context on picking indicators: the best TradingView indicators by category.
No signal guarantees profitability. Trading involves risk of capital loss.